ANN DeMATTEO: Pardon me while I drop a few names from a big night in New York City (video)

Ann DeMatteo/Register photo: Leslie Uggams, right, who performed at the Persian Room back in the day, greets singer Cathryn Kenzel, Branford resident and BFF of this columnist, at the release party for "The Persian Room Presents."

All in all, I'm pretty lucky when it comes to being in the right place at the right time. This serendipitous skill and sometimes just dumb luck are what I've found puts you ahead in the reporting business.

The same thing applies when my friends help me out. How lucky was I to accompany my closest friend, Cathryn Kenzel, to a fancy schmancy red carpet event at The Plaza Hotel in Manhattan on the evening of March 6. The occasion was the release of "The Persian Room Presents," a book by Patty Farmer. Patty invited to the party people she had interviewed for the book and their prime associates. As you can probably imagine, I was in the "associates" category, and Cathy, my favorite singer, was in the book.

For those of you who don't know, the Persian Room was a nightclub where many stars and soon-to-be-stars performed from 1934 to 1975. It was "the place to be," and the people who attended the party say there was no other place like it and never will be.

Cathy's earlier career was among those highlighted in the oral histories of people who performed in the Persian Room, stars like Hildegarde, Liberace, Julie Wilson, Michelle Lee, Connie Stevens, Celeste Holm, Leslie Uggams, Carol Lawrence and Tony Butala. Cathy holds the distinction of being the youngest to ever perform there.

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Some of you may remember Cathy as the young Catherine Rondina of West Haven. She cut her first record, "Other Lips," on the Ron-Cris label at age 15. Her parents, the late Margaret and Dominic Rondina, produced records, wrote songs and promoted Cathy's singing career. Margaret also taught voice under the header of La Voce.

Margaret Rondina knew how to promote her daughter's career: She was the opening act for Tony Bennett and Rodney Dangerfield when they performed at the Oakdale Musical Theater. Cathy sang in Catskill resorts, and later joined a show band that took her all around the United States and Canada. Tired of living life out of a suitcase, she decided to get married and start her own vocal studio, Vocal Productions, out of her home in Branford. Over the years, she continued to sing, but she primarily focused on raising her daughter and training young singers. Previous students include Milford's Christy Carlson Romano of "Even Stevens" and "Beauty and the Beast" on Broadway; Ansonia's Caitlin Hale of "School of Rock" fame and Tracee Beazer of Waterbury, who has appeared in "Hairspray" and "Memphis" on Broadway. Not to mention Lauren Ambrose, last year cast as the next Fanny Brice, and who is seen in the movie "Wanderlust."

I love New York. Something comes alive in me when I step out of the limo.

We enjoyed hors d'oeuvres, white wine and champagne, while the stars mingled and Tony -- the original Letterman -- sang standards at the keyboard.

Patty thanked everyone for helping her achieve a goal some said was not achievable. A portion of the book sales will go to a child abuse cause, Childhelp.

"The history of the Persian Room needs to be told, and the result is a very wonderful book," Patty said to the crowd. "I thought no one would publish it. Then I was told you would never get the press interested in it. And here I have the cream of the press crop. Liz Smith wrote about us two times in one week."

Patty told us that when she was told she never would be a best-selling author, she dug in her heels and worked really hard to prove them wrong.

Then Tommy Tune's voice rose over the crowd -- isn't it usually above the crowd? -- and with a champagne flute raised he said, "Here's to the second printing!"

That's probably something David Lamb and Laura Ross are hoping will happen. David and Laura are the publisher and vice president and editorial director, respectively, of Vantage Press, which published the book. They were with Cathy and me when the party continued in the Rose Room, one of the areas in the Plaza Hotel that replaced the Persian Room.

Over more wine, Tony told us of his musical childhood in Sharon, Pa., and how he became a Mitchell choirboy out in California because his mother had to go west to take care of a sick relative.

"I'm No. 8 of 11 children from humble beginnings. We just finished our 76th album," he said of The Lettermen, whose membership has changed over the years with Tony being the constant.

He attended the Hollywood Professional School along with a girl named Concetta. Tony, Concetta and the two other young men started the Foremost, a jazz singing group but when Concetta -- aka Connie Stevens -- started her solo career, they became The Lettermen.

"I'm the luckiest man on the face of the Earth. I get paid to do what I want to do," said Tony, who was encouraged by Laura that night to write a book.

He says he's doing it. Laura also made the suggestion to Cathy.

The wheels are turning, and we are also hoping that the connections made from the Persian Room book will send Cathy to California, just like it happened for Tony so many years ago.

Because of Patty's book -- we're trying to have a signing locally -- more people now know about the singer I always knew was the best. You can find out more about her -- book her for engagements or even take a voice lesson -- by visiting www.cathrynkenzelvp.com.

?Arti Dixson's Help Our People event takes place at 6 p.m. March 25 at Woodwinds in Branford. Tickets are $35, plus a bag of food to benefit The Orange Community Center Food Pantry, The Community Dining Room in Branford, The St. Paul St. James Church Pantry in New Haven, The Wilson Food Pantry in Stamford, The Master's Manna Food Pantry in Wallingford, The Bridgeport Rescue Mission, Woodbridge Services Emergency Food Pantry and the food pantry at the Immanuel Baptist Church in New Haven. Tables seat 10. The price includes dinner. Live music will be performed by the Arti Dixson Swing Band, and more. Call 203-795-3109.

?Nancy White is making her Barbie clothes to sell at the March 24 fundraiser for 9-year-old Camdyn Dunn of Branford, who has lymphoma. The party is from noon to 5 p.m. at 2630 Whitney Ave., Hamden. It's $20 per person and $40 for a family of four. Visit www.camdynsfund.org or email her mom, Rachel Dunn, at camdynsfund@yahoo.com.